Forth Valley construction worker jailed for £55,000 tax fraud

A sly construction worker pocketed a cool £55,000 when he cashed 52 cheques and failed to declare tax on them, but the authorities were wise to his game.

By Herald Reporter

Published 18th Feb 2020, 17:29 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

An HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation found Ian McColl (56) purchased slate and timber from demolition sites through his company Monument Timber and Slates Ltd then sold the goods on, issuing invoices to clients, charging them VAT as well.

McColl (56) then cashed the cheques from the sales at a Money Service Bureau in Edinburgh over a 32-month period.

Cheryl Burr, assistant director of HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, said: “McColl deliberately failed to pass on tax to HMRC that helps fund our vital public services.”

McColl, Hawthorn Crescent, Fallin, admitted evading VAT at Falkirk Sheriff Court and was subsequently sentenced to 11 months in jail on February 12.